Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 16 verdicts at Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court (Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

December 2025 1 case

Charlie Henderson

Theft *

Sentence

£400 compensation

On 28/11/2025 at Newton Abbot stole perfume from Austins.

22 Dec 2025

November 2025 1 case

Kenneth Smith

Harassment *

Sentence

£1,000 compensation and three-year restraining order

Kenneth Smith, 72, from Cumber Close, Brixham, engaged in a sustained campaign of harassment against his 85-year-old widow neighbour, Mrs Wood, over a wooden fence separating their bungalows. He angled his drainpipe to direct rainwater onto her property, used abusive language, stared through her window, made threatening gestures, and sawn off five fence posts at the base. The victim installed a camera capturing his behaviour and obtained a county court order against him for £26,000 in damages. The fence became rotten, requiring replacement at a cost of £1,700.

Admitted harassing his elderly neighbour. Magistrates found he had sawn off fence posts. Cares for his bedbound wife.

14 Nov 2025

October 2025 2 cases

Ian Nicholls

Sexual Assault *

Sentence

4 years imprisonment

Ian Nicholls, a masseur from Newton Abbot, sexually assaulted three women by exploiting their trust in him as a professional, revealing a monstrous side to his character. The case was initially rejected but re-opened, leading to his conviction.

Exploited his position as a masseur to sexually assault three women. Case re-opened under the Victims' Right to Review Scheme after initial rejection. Judge commended victims for their courage.

23 Oct 2025

Luke Barbour

Drug driving *

Sentence

Community order for 12 months. Drug rehabilitation. Disqualified for 24 months. 40 hours of unpaid work

On 30/12/2024 at Newton Abbot, Luke Barbour drove a vehicle while under the influence of drugs (BZE).

Pleaded guilty to drug driving (BZE).

2 Oct 2025

July 2025 3 cases

Richard Law

Murder *

Sentence

Detained indefinitely

Richard Law bludgeoned his sister Judith Law to death with a hammer at their home in a brutal attack, following a period of mental decline.

Called 999 admitting he could not cope and was locked in a spiral of mental decline.

26 Jul 2025

Brian George David

Child rape *

Sentence

20 years imprisonment

Brian George David was convicted of child rape and was serving a 20-year sentence, as predicted by a judge.

Was serving the sentence at HMP Channings Wood at the time of his death.

26 Jul 2025

Karl Underwood

Theft *

Sentence

Prison for 20 weeks

Karl Underwood, 28, from Stitchill Road, Wellswood, Torquay, stole various items including fragrances, gin, Lego, vodka, and shoes from multiple stores in Torquay on July 1, 2025.

Pleaded guilty to stealing fragrances from Boots, gin from M&S, Lego from Asda, vodka from Tesco in Torquay, and shoes from TK Maxx.

7 Jul 2025

June 2025 4 cases

Andrew Evans

Use of handheld mobile phone while driving *

Sentence

£466 fine, disqualified from driving for six months with six penalty points

Andrew Evans, aged 26 from Penyard, Merthyr Tydfil, used a handheld mobile phone while driving a vehicle (YC19FZL) on the A380 in Newton Abbot on June 10, 2024.

Used a handheld mobile phone while driving; ordered to pay £90 costs and £186 surcharge.

28 Jun 2025

Joseph Carr

Theft *

Sentence

9 months imprisonment and a 3-year Criminal Behaviour Order

Joseph Carr, of no fixed abode in Torquay, targeted elderly victims by stealing handbags and purses, and committed thefts from shops and pickpocketing over a two-year period. He also carried out one residential burglary, one racially aggravated public order offence, and one criminal damage incident, causing harm and distress to victims in the community.

Pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft, one count of residential burglary, one count of racially aggravated public order, and one count of criminal damage. The Criminal Behaviour Order prohibits entering Torquay town centre except for specific appointments and bans him from certain premises.

12 Jun 2025

John Cook

Assault *

Sentence

12 weeks imprisonment

On 04/06/2025 at Greenaway Road, Newton Abbot, John Cook assaulted a police officer by beating him and caused criminal damage to a property in Exeter.

Pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer by beating and criminal damage to a property. Ordered to pay compensation of £50.

6 Jun 2025

Paul Chappell

Assault *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment

On 03/06/2025 at Paignton, Paul Chappell assaulted a police officer by beating and also assaulted a PCSO.

Pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer by beating and assaulting a PCSO. Ordered to pay compensation of £200.

4 Jun 2025

May 2025 1 case

Christopher James

Theft *

Sentence

26 weeks in prison

On 28/05/2025 at The Range in Torquay stole four boxes of laundry detergent, breaching a suspended sentence.

Committed during the term of a suspended sentence.

29 May 2025

January 2025 1 case

Craig Sawyer

Shoplifting *

Sentence

14 weeks imprisonment

Craig Sawyer, 51, known as 'Satchel Man', shoplifted £8,000 worth from Boots stores in Torquay and Dartmouth in November 2024, using disguises and a brown shoulder bag. Previously convicted in Worcestershire for £11,400 thefts.

Additional to existing 42 weeks; total 56 weeks. Pleaded guilty to five counts of shoplifting.

1 Jan 2025

November 2024 2 cases

Carsten Walker

Animal welfare offences *

Sentence

12 month Community Order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days, £40 fine, £114 victim surcharge, £400 costs, 5 year ban from keeping animals

On 14 November 2024, RSPCA Inspector Beccy Wadey visited the Paignton home of Carsten Walker and Leoni Ball at Fernicombe Close following welfare concerns. The property housed over a dozen animals in poor conditions, including underweight dogs and cats living in cages without adequate food, water, or flea treatment. Specific animals included underweight husky Jasmine and her 10-week-old puppy, American Akita Sasha, lethargic kittens with fleas, underweight mother cat Kylie, Saluki-type Dara with skin condition, crossbreed Levi with hair loss, and husky-type Winter with skin issues and long nails. Five dogs, one cat, and eight kittens were seized and treated, recovering well. All remaining animals were signed over to the RSPCA.

Pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences. In mitigation, cited homeless friends leaving animals behind and lack of funds due to unemployment and zero hours contract.

17 Nov 2024

Leoni Ball

Animal welfare offences *

Sentence

12 month Community Order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days, £40 fine, £114 victim surcharge, £400 costs, 5 year ban from keeping animals

Pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences. In mitigation, cited homeless friends leaving animals behind and lack of funds due to unemployment and zero hours contract.

17 Nov 2024

April 2023 1 case

Sue Ball

Driving over the alcohol limit *

Sentence

Community order with Alcohol Treatment Requirement, disqualified for 25 months

On 11/01/2023 at Newton Abbot Railway Station, Station Road, drove a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol exceeding the prescribed limit (105 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath).

Pleaded guilty

27 Apr 2023

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

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The Court House, Newfoundland Way, Newton Abbot TQ12 1NG, Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1NG, United Kingdom

+441803617880

www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk

Wheelchair accessible parking, Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00

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About Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court

Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court, located in Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 16 sentencing records in our database, it serves the Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot area and surrounding communities. Magistrates' Courts handle the majority of criminal cases in England and Wales, with cases heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge.

The court can be found at The Court House, Newfoundland Way, Newton Abbot TQ12 1NG, TQ12 1NG.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible parking.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441803617880 or visit the official court website for further information.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.